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Soldiers with Western Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, await their debarkation of a landing craft air cushion onto San Clemente Island, California, Feb. 21, 2016, as part of the supported arms coordination center exercise portion of Exercise Iron Fist 2016. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral amphibious training exercise designed to improve USMC and JGSDF’s ability to plan, communicate and conduct combined amphibious operations at the platoon, company and battalion levels. - Soldiers with Western Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, await their debarkation of a landing craft air cushion onto San Clemente Island, California, Feb. 21, 2016, as part of the supported arms coordination center exercise portion of Exercise Iron Fist 2016. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral amphibious training exercise designed to improve USMC and JGSDF’s ability to plan, communicate and conduct combined amphibious operations at the platoon, company and battalion levels.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Clay Tipton, commanding officer, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, shakes hands with Col. Yoskiyuki Goto, commanding officer, Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, after recognizing select Marines and JGSDF soldiers for their outstanding performance during Exercise Iron Fist 2016, at the exercise’s closing ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 1, 2016. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual exercise conducted between the USMC and JGSDF, designed to improve their ability to conduct amphibious operations. The ceremony brought together both militaries in celebration and formally concluded the 11th iteration of Exercise Iron Fist. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Clay Tipton, commanding officer, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, shakes hands with Col. Yoskiyuki Goto, commanding officer, Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, after recognizing select Marines and JGSDF soldiers for their outstanding performance during Exercise Iron Fist 2016, at the exercise’s closing ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 1, 2016. Exercise Iron Fist is an annual exercise conducted between the USMC and JGSDF, designed to improve their ability to conduct amphibious operations. The ceremony brought together both militaries in celebration and formally concluded the 11th iteration of Exercise Iron Fist.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion,1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, check their communication connections during a scenario-based, battalion-sized amphibious landing exercise for Exercise Iron Fist 2016, Feb. 26, 2016. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral amphibious training exercise designed to improve USMC and JGSDF’s ability to plan, communicate and conduct combined amphibious operations at the platoon, company and battalion levels. - Marines with 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment and 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion,1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, check their communication connections during a scenario-based, battalion-sized amphibious landing exercise for Exercise Iron Fist 2016, Feb. 26, 2016. Iron Fist is an annual, bilateral amphibious training exercise designed to improve USMC and JGSDF’s ability to plan, communicate and conduct combined amphibious operations at the platoon, company and battalion levels.

A rifleman assigned to Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, provides security from an amphibious assault vehicle, during a live-fire platoon level assault, during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Feb. 9, 2016. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and Marines to strengthen warfighting capabilities in ship to shore operations. - A rifleman assigned to Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, provides security from an amphibious assault vehicle, during a live-fire platoon level assault, during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Feb. 9, 2016. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and Marines to strengthen warfighting capabilities in ship to shore operations.